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183_notes:torque [2015/10/14 15:44] – [The Net Torque Causes Changes in Rotation] caballero | 183_notes:torque [2021/05/08 18:55] – [Torque] stumptyl | ||
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+ | Section 5.4 and 11.4 in Matter and Interactions (4th edition) | ||
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===== Torques Cause Changes in Rotation ===== | ===== Torques Cause Changes in Rotation ===== | ||
- | Until now, you have worked with [[183_notes: | + | Until now, you have worked with [[183_notes: |
==== Lecture Video ==== | ==== Lecture Video ==== | ||
{{youtube> | {{youtube> | ||
- | ==== Torque ==== | + | ===== Torque |
{{ 183_notes: | {{ 183_notes: | ||
- | //Torque is a vector quantity that describes how you can change the rotation of an object.// Specifically, | + | **Torque is a vector quantity that describes how you can change the rotation of an object.**. Specifically, |
Consider a bolt that is located at A in the figure to the right. You attach a wrench to location A and push on the end of the wrench with the force indicated. The vector that points from A to the end of the wrench where the force is applied is $\vec{r}_A$. This distance is often called the "lever arm." It indicates the point of application of the force relative to the rotation axis. | Consider a bolt that is located at A in the figure to the right. You attach a wrench to location A and push on the end of the wrench with the force indicated. The vector that points from A to the end of the wrench where the force is applied is $\vec{r}_A$. This distance is often called the "lever arm." It indicates the point of application of the force relative to the rotation axis. | ||
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$$\vec{\tau}_{A} = \vec{r}_A \times \vec{F}$$ | $$\vec{\tau}_{A} = \vec{r}_A \times \vec{F}$$ | ||
- | The //torque is a vector//; it has both a magnitude and direction. The units of torque are Newton-meters ($\mathrm{Nm}$). This is the first physical quantity that you have seen that seen that depends on the cross (vector) product between two vectors. It's worth taking some time to understand how this mathematics works. | + | The **torque is a vector**; it has both a magnitude and direction.** The units of torque are Newton-meters ($\mathrm{Nm}$)**. This is the first physical quantity that you have seen that depends on the cross (vector) product between two vectors. It's worth taking some time to understand how this mathematics works. |
- | === The magnitude | + | ==== The Magnitude |
- | The magnitude of the the torque depends on the component of the force that is perpendicular to the lever arm. In the figure above, the perpendicular component of the force is given by, | + | **The magnitude of the torque depends on the component of the force that is perpendicular to the lever arm**. In the figure above, the perpendicular component of the force is given by, |
$$F_{\perp} = F\sin\theta$$ | $$F_{\perp} = F\sin\theta$$ | ||
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So, as shown in the figure to the right, the torque is only due to the component of the force that is perpendicular to the lever arm ($F_{\perp}$). | So, as shown in the figure to the right, the torque is only due to the component of the force that is perpendicular to the lever arm ($F_{\perp}$). | ||
- | === The direction | + | ==== The Direction |
Torque is a vector quantity; it has a direction. How can you determine that direction? | Torque is a vector quantity; it has a direction. How can you determine that direction? | ||
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==== The Net Torque Causes Changes in Rotation ==== | ==== The Net Torque Causes Changes in Rotation ==== | ||
- | Just like you read for forces, there can be multiple torques applied to an object. That is, there might be forces applied at different locations and in different directions, which could (one their own) give rise to different rotations. The concept of a net torque is an important one because it helps you decide what the rotation will be (or even if there will be any rotation). The net torque is the vector sum of all the torques acting on an object. These torques must be computed around the same rotation axis (i.e., the lever arm for each force can be different, but this lever arm must be measured from the same rotation location). | + | Just like you read for forces, there can be multiple torques applied to an object. That is, there might be forces applied at different locations and in different directions, which could (on their own) give rise to different rotations. The concept of a net torque is an important one because it helps you decide what the rotation will be (or even if there will be any rotation). The net torque is the vector sum of all the torques acting on an object. These torques must be computed around the same rotation axis (i.e., the lever arm for each force can be different, but this lever arm must be measured from the same rotation location). |
$$\vec{\tau}_{net} = \sum_i \vec{\tau}_i$$ | $$\vec{\tau}_{net} = \sum_i \vec{\tau}_i$$ | ||
- | The sign of each torque is incredibly important for determining the net torque. It is the net torque that causes changes in rotation, just like it is the net force that causes changes in translation. | + | The sign of each torque is incredibly important for determining the net torque. It is the net torque that causes changes in rotation, just like it is the [[183_notes: |
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+ | ==== Examples ==== | ||
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+ | * [[: |